The best and most efficient pharmacy is within your own system.
Robert C. Peale
Feeling under the weather; looking for something to pick you up and prevent that cold from developing? You should look to Master Tonic for the answer.
What is Master Tonic?
Master Tonic is a powerful tonic, made of natural, fresh ingredients. It can aid with infections, inflammations, immune conditions, cold and flu. The ingredients are designed to help detox the bloodstream. This tonic is known by many names such as a fire cider, super tonic, four thieves vinegar, herb vinegar and plague vinegar. It’s wonderful for preventing illness as it has amazing immune boosting properties.
You can take it daily as a preventative or every 2-4 hours if you are already suffering. I like to start taking it around autumn as a preventative but if I feel like I’m coming down with something I up the frequency for about a day and a half till I feel better.
I promote it at all my courses so, what’s in Master Tonic to make it so potent and effective?
Main ingredients of Master Tonic
Master tonic is such a powerful tonic as each of the main ingredients has its own medicinal properties, let alone layering them together.
Raw Apple Cider Vinegar (with the mother in): Apple cider vinegar is the base the ingredients are infused in for a minimum of 2 weeks and then strained from. Its an anti-oxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, contains beta-carotene, pectin, potassium, sodium, manganese, calcium, phosphorous, chlorine, sulphur, iron, fluorine and malic acid. It’s an age old powerhouse on its own.
White or another hot onion: Onions are a potent diuretic, antibiotic, anti-oxidant and have anti-inflammatory properties. They contain phytochemicals which improve the working of Vitamin C in the body and Chromium which assists in regulating blood sugar.
Horseradish root/wasabi/hot radish: Horseradish is antibacterial, anti-parasitic as well as being an anti-oxidant which increases circulation and helps remove free radicals from the body.
Ginger: Ginger is anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral and has anti-oxidant properties. It’s also a good regulator for asthma, metabolism and high blood pressure.
Hot chillies: Chillies are a natural decongestant, anti-inflammatory, they reduce blood cholesterol, are full of Vitamin C, Vitamin A, B-complex vitamins, potassium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, copper and manganese. They are fantastic and in the tonic, you control the intensity by the strength of the chillies you include!
Garlic: Garlic is an antibiotic, antiviral, antifungal, anti-oxidant properties, it’s high in insulin, selenium, lowers blood pressure, detoxifies and improves iron metabolism.
The five ingredients above are included in roughly equal amounts and then you can add to taste, the following:
Turmeric root: Turmeric is antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anti-oxidant with anti-inflammatory properties, lowers cholesterol, moderates insulin levels and protects against free radical damage in the body. When adding turmeric I always add black pepper to activate the curcumin.
Cloves: Cloves are an anti-oxidant, are antiseptic, act as a local anaesthetic, are anti-inflammatory, as well as containing potassium, manganese, iron, selenium and magnesium.
Honey: Honey is a powerfully antibacterial, antibiotic, antifungal, anti-oxidant. It contains niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium and zinc.
Beyond these key ingredients you can add medicinal herbs from your garden either in the initial infusion or later after the above chopped ingredients have been strained.
History of Master Tonic
The basic formula dates back to medieval Europe and the plagues. There are multiple versions of the story that speak of its history and mystery but it was basically used to prevent catching the deadly Black Death plague.
The following recipe hung in the Museum of Paris in 1937, which is said to be an exact copy of the recipe posted on the walls of Marseilles during an episode of the plague in the 14th century.
Take three pints of strong white wine vinegar, add a handful of wormwood, meadowsweet, wild marjoram and sage, fifty cloves, two ounces of campanula roots, two ounces of angelic, rosemary and horehound and three large measures of champhor.
Place the mixture in a container for fifteen days, strain and express, then bottle.
Try making your own modern version.
You can also use the pulp in soups, rices, pasta and stews to add some extra flavour. You can drink small amounts straight or dilute it in a herbal tea with added honey. Let your body tell you how much is right for you.
Have you tried it or made it? It’s my favourite go to tonic. Are you prepared to give it a go? Try it. It’s great!